Assessing Anthropometric Indices Changes and Related Factors in Patients Under Methadone Maintenance Therapy



Hemmati A¹ ; Yaghoobi SF² ; Hatami H¹ ; Shadnoush M³ ; Baniasadi M⁴ Show Affiliations
Source: Koomesh Published:2018

Abstract

Introduction: Methadone treatment is one of the treatments for addiction. Methadone is an opioid agonist which chronic exposure to it leads to side effects such as weight gain. Hence, recognizing the different dimensions of abuse treatment and its consequences can be effective in improving the treatment process, better control of the patient's condition and preventing subsequent problems. The aim of this study was to investigate factors related to weight variation and anthropometry in patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy. Materials and Methods: In this study, 150 patients referred to the Semnan Substance Abuse Treatment Center (from 2011.3.21 to 2014.11.30). In this study, changes in weight and body mass index in patients and its relationship with variables such as age, smoking, education level, drug use time, marital status and employment were investigated. Results: The results of this study indicate a significant difference in weight and body mass index in the first 3 months compared to the 3rd month in subjects with methadone maintenance treatment, which is more than the first three months (p<0.05). In addition, the present study showed a significant relationship between the type of substance consumed, duration of substance abuse, smoking status, age and marital status (p<0.05). However, there was no significant relationship between methadone dose, employment status and education level (p> 0.05).. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that methadone maintenance therapy led to weight gain, which had a direct and meaningful relationship with variables such as duration of drug intake and smoking, while between weight gain and variables such as age, occupational status and the level of education, no meaningful relationship was found. © 2018, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.